General Motors, under investigation because of defective ignition switches linked to at least 32 deaths, is to cut more than 500 jobs at two plants in the United States.

General Motors, under investigation because of defective ignition switches linked to at least 32 deaths, is to cut more than 500 jobs at two plants in the United States.

Approximately 160 employees will be laid off during 2015 at a factory in Orion, Michigan to "better align with market demand," the company said in an email to AFP, and a plant in Lansing, in the same state, will eliminate 350 of its 1,500 positions for the same reason.

"GM is committed to a strong and lasting presence in Lansing," a spokesperson said, adding that the US auto giant had pledged $281.5 million in investment for Lansing-based facilities since 2013.

General Motors last month reported lower third-quarter earnings on weakness in some international markets.

GM is under investigation by Congress, regulators and the US Justice Department over why it waited more than a decade after first uncovering the ignition-switch problem to start recalling cars.